Metro-Dade Firefighters Local 1403

08/01/2024

07/26/2024

On Thursday morning at its regular meeting, the Miami City Commission presented the Progressive Firefighters Association of Miami-Dade County a Certificate of Appreciation, recognizing the accomplishments of the 2024 Summer Swim Program. The free, seven-week program concluded yesterday at the Dawkins Olympic Pool Complex at Charles Hadley Park, with hundreds of youngsters learning safe swimming. Congratulations to all who participated.

07/26/2024

Thursday afternoon was a homecoming of sorts for retired Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Battalion Chief Jerome Byrd, Jr. Now the Deputy Fire Chief of the City of South Fulton, Georgia, Chief Byrd and three of his deputies, Gregory Chambers, Jake Jenkins and Glenn Washington, visited MDFR Headquarters for a tour of the building and the Fire Rescue Training Center. Chief Byrd met with some of his old acquaintances and spent time with Fire Chief Ray Jadallah. His 10-station department in Georgia’s eighth largest city is planning its own training facility and the four visitors were looking to MDFR for some constructive ideas on what to include in their plans. Capt. Keith Bell acted as tour guide and the excursion included the Fire Alarm Office and Emergency Operations Center.

07/23/2024

The Progressive Firefighters Association of Miami-Dade County is in the final week of its free Summer Swim Program for 2024. As they do every year, volunteer instructors, including firefighters and dispatchers from Miami-Dade Fire Rescue, donate their time to teach inner city kids the skills necessary to become safe swimmers. Everyone in every family should be able to enter the water safely, stay afloat and swim a distance and exit the water safely. Accidental drownings are preventable.

07/15/2024

Twenty-nine years ago, as a member of Metropolitan Dade County Fire-Rescue Recruit Class 73, Ron Borz could only image what retirement might be like. On Monday afternoon, Captain Ron Borz turned over command of Port Miami Station 39 to finally enter the ranks of the retired. Local 1403 and its members wish Ron a long and healthy retirement following his stellar service to the citizens of Miami-Dade County. PortMiami hasn’t seen the last of the good Captain. He’ll be back next week to celebrate this new chapter in his life with a Caribbean cruise.

07/15/2024

07/02/2024

Last Friday, we proudly signed the bargaining contract between Metro Dade Firefighters Local 1403 and This significant event was graced by the presence of Mayor Daniella Levine Cava and Chief Operations Officer Jimmy Morales, as we celebrated our record-breaking negotiation times and successful collective bargaining efforts. The contract signifies our commitment to ensuring the best working conditions and support for our brave firefighters & dedicated dispatchers, who serve the community tirelessly.

A heartfelt thank you goes out to all members of the negotiations team and the management involved in the bargaining process. Your dedication, hard work, and collaboration were instrumental in reaching this landmark agreement. Together, we have set a new standard for future negotiations and reinforced our shared mission to protect and serve the people of Miami-Dade County.

06/17/2024

The annual Miami-Dade County Progressive Firefighters Association Summer Swim Program has returned for 2024, with this year’s seven-week learn-to swim class sessions at two locations. Accidental drownings remain a problem among youngsters, especially in Miami-Dade County’s inner city neighborhoods. The team of certified swim instructors, anchored by active and retired Local 1403 members, both firefighters and dispatchers, will spend the next seven weeks teaching these kids how to swim and avoid a tragedy. The Summer Swim Program, as always, is free to all registrants. Classes are held at the City of Miami’s Miller J. and Nancy S. Dawkins Olympic Pool Complex, 4800 Northwest 12th Avenue and at the Athalie Range Park pool, 525 Northwest 62nd Street.

06/13/2024

TBT – 21-098 sporting its new Metro-Dade Fire Rescue livery at Shop 2 in June 1997. Five months later voters changed the name of Dade County to Miami-Dade County, rendering the paint scheme obsolete.

06/11/2024

The Dewey Henry Scholarship Fund was created in 2000 to assist the children of Firefighter Charities Members (firefighters, dispatchers and Local 1403 office staff) with the costs of securing a higher education. The fund was named for MDFR Lieutenant Dewey Henry, who lost his life in the line of duty while battling a warehouse fire on September 11, 1994. Contestants compete by writing 1,000 word essays on a pre-determined subject, which are then judged on merit, originality, content, presentation and grammar. Winners of the 2024 competition were announced last week and on Tuesday morning were presented with scholarship certificates during a catered breakfast at The Fire Tower. Congratulations to all of this year’s winners.

06/10/2024

As the previous class heads out to the field, Recruit Class 155 began training as Miami-Dade County firefighters on Monday morning. With their state firefighter certification already in hand, the 39 members of the class will graduate from the Fire Academy in mid-October. Local 1403 wishes them the best of luck in their new career.

06/10/2024

First day of shift work (6/10/2024).

06/07/2024

Congratulations to our recently promoted members who received their new badges of rank during a ceremony at the Fire Rescue Training Center on Friday morning. Promoted lieutenants, captains, chiefs and dispatch supervisors were recognized for their accomplishments. Good luck in your new positions.

06/07/2024

Congratulations to our 2024 Dewey Henry Scholarship Winners!

06/06/2024

Personnel at Miami International Airport’s Northside Station 59 looked to the past on Thursday at the first annual Battalion 6 Day. Retirees who spent any part of their firefighting career at a Miami-Dade County airport fire station were invited to drop by and exchange war stories with the current crews as well as each other. A big turnout was expected by Firefighter Robert Ortega, the event organizer, and a big turnout is what he got.

06/06/2024

A tanker carrying nearly 7,000 gallons of jet fuel overturned on Miami International Airport’s north side early Thursday morning. There were no serious injuries and fire crews were able to minimize a resulting fuel leak. An investigation into the accident is ongoing.

06/06/2024

Come join us at Fire Tower Miami - Doral, FL for an IAFF screening event like no other! BURNED is a True story of the spouse of a retired career firefighter that revealed that the exposure to the forever chemical, PFAS in firefighters turnout gear is directly related to cancer. Forever Chemicals & Firefighting - Where are we now?

Event Speakers:
Elijah Yetter-Bowman - Filmaker, Researcher & Activist
Diane Cotter - Wistleblower & Activist
Dr. Graham Peaslee - Nuclear Physicist, Notre Dame University
Dr. Daniel Whu - Chief Medical Officer, IAFF

Burned: Protecting the Protectors is a documentary film directed by Elijah Yetter-Bowman and produced by Mark Ruffalo, Sammy Bauer, Gill Holland and Ethereal Films in 2023. It is the true story of one advocates’ quest to uncover the silent cancer epidemic within the fire service.

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06/04/2024

Join us at Fire Tower Miami - Doral, FL for an screening event like no other! BURNED is a true story of the spouse of a retired career firefighter that revealed that the exposure to the forever chemical, PFAS in firefighters turnout gear is directly related to cancer. Forever Chemicals & Firefighting - Where are we now?

Event Speakers:
Elijah Yetter-Bowman - Filmaker, Researcher & Activist
Diane Cotter - Wistleblower & Activist
Dr. Graham Peaslee - Nuclear Physicist, Notre Dame University
Dr. Daniel Whu - Chief Medical Officer, IAFF

Burned: Protecting the Protectors is a documentary film directed by Elijah Yetter-Bowman and produced by Mark Ruffalo, Sammy Bauer, Gill Holland and Ethereal Films in 2023. It is the true story of one advocates' quest to uncover the silent cancer epidemic within the fire service.

Click below to Register for this FREE event.
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/burned-protecting-the-protectors-tickets-910644290587?aff=oddtdtcreator

05/31/2024

Local 1403 extends best wishes to Miami International Airport Lieutenant Juan Ramos, who completed a 28-year career with Miami-Dade Fire Rescue on Friday. A member of Class 78, Juan’s retirement shift was spent like all his shifts with Engine 12, surrounded by his crew and station mates. Have a long, healthy and happy retirement.

05/26/2024

Fire Chief Raied Jadallah awarded certificates of completion this past week to Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s newest leaders signifying a successful participation in the Lieutenant Officer Development Program. Lieutenant ODP Class 01-2024 completed its three week program designed to provide recently promoted officers and officer candidates the leadership skills required for their new positions. Local 1403 congratulates all the promotees.

05/25/2024

Selected moments from the graduation of Recruit Class 154.

05/25/2024

Meet the 30 Miami-Dade County probationary firefighters, formerly the recruits of Class 154, who received their silver badges during a badge pinning ceremony at the Fire Rescue Training Center on Friday morning. Local 1403 wishes them all a safe career.

05/24/2024

In honor of National EMS Week, we share the story of Captain Paul Blake, Metro-Dade Firefighters IAFF Local 1403 Treasurer and Retired Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Firefighter, whose son’s life was saved by the heroic efforts of his colleagues while training to be a SWAT Medic. The quick action of bystander CPR and early defibrillation was critical in this life-saving incident. To read more, visit our Bio-Click Jumpline Spring 2024 Edition

05/24/2024

Join us for an unforgettable week at sea on the "Heroes At Sea Cruise - A Cruise For First Responders" aboard the Norwegian Escape from April 20-27, 2025.

This unique cruise brings together Firefighters and Paramedics from across the U.S. for a week of relaxation, fun, and camaraderie. We'll be sailing from Miami to Roatan, Belize, Costa Maya, and Cozumel, exploring beautiful destinations together.

Each night, enjoy exclusive private concerts, live band, DJs, themed nights, game shows, and more, all just for our group of first responders. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with fellow heroes and make lifelong friends. This event is supporting the heroes of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue and the First Responders Resiliency Foundation. It is open to all active, retired, and volunteer firefighters, paramedics, their friends, and families.

The first 400 sign-ups get FREE Heroes At Sea T-Shirts.
Sign up now to take advantage of special benefits:

Special deposits
Buy one get one free airfares
Free Open Bar all week long
Free WiFi
Free meals and specialty dining
Free shore excursion credits

Don't miss out on this incredible experience! Secure your spot today and get ready for a cruise like no other. Contact us for more details and to reserve your spot. Let's set sail together and make memories fora lifetime!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/heroesatsea
Visit www.heroesatsea.com or call 1-800-461-6206

05/23/2024

On Thursday morning, Recruit Class 154 completed their final rite of passage prior to graduating from the Fire Academy. The Traditions Run took the 30 members of the class through Training & Safety Division Chief Nicolas Morgado’s history of Miami-Dade County as well as its fire chiefs, followed by a three mile trek through downtown Doral, their final physical training. At the completion of the Traditions Run, Class 154 visited the Firefighter Memorial Monument in front of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue Headquarters and then headed for a splash in the MDFR pool to celebrate the end of their formal firefighter training. They will receive their silver badges from the Fire Chief on Friday morning at 10 A.M.

05/23/2024

TBT - Local 1403’s entry in the Coconut Grove Bed Race to benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association struts down South Bayshore Drive in the pre-race parade, May 1996.

05/18/2024

Happy Armed Forces Day!

Today, we salute and honor all our brave Metro-Dade Firefighters who have served or are serving in the armed forces. Your courage and sacrifice in protecting our country and our community inspire us every day.

Thank you for your commitment to keeping us safe, both at home and abroad. Your service truly exemplifies the best of us!

05/17/2024

On Friday morning, the Mayor, the Fire Chief and local dignitaries cut the ribbon signifying the opening of Miami-Dade Fire Rescue’s newest facility, Dolphin Station 68 in the City of Sweetwater. The 12,300 square foot facility is the most energy efficient firehouse ever built in Miami-Dade, powered by solar energy and equipped with energy-saving LED lighting. The new station is currently home to Engine 68, but additional units are slated to be added in the future.

05/15/2024

May 15, 2024 is National Trauma Survivors Day, a day to draw inspiration from survivors of traumatic injuries and provide support to these survivors and their families, as well as their caregivers. HCA Kendall Hospital Florida celebrated this day with a luncheon for trauma survivors and their families. Miami-Dade Fire Rescue personnel reunited with the trauma patients who they rescued and were fortunate to survive the ordeal.